Code-A-Phone Answering Machine
Model 3400 / 3450

Code-A-Phone Corporation Status
Does your Code-A-Phone need a drive belt?

Some info. on other Code-A-Phone Models
(that has been sent to me over the years)

Even if your model is not listed on this page, exploring the notes and manuals of other similar machines may inform you of how to operate yours. Many of the operating procedures on these machines is very similar.

Some Notes on the Code-A-Phone Model 3530
Some Notes on the Code-A-Phone Model 2530

Remote Message Retrieval for Code-A-Phone Model 930 and 1620


The three digit remote access code is on a sticker
attached to the bottom of the unit.

A Code-A-Phone enthusiast named Ken from northern New Jersey made a Wallet Card with the basic remote message retrieval instructions for the 3400 and 3450 models on it. It is a 4KB download, and is done in Adobe Acrobat "PDF" format.

You will need to have the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader program installed on your computer to open, view or print the wallet card. You can get Acrobat Reader at http://www.adobe.com


Remote Message Retrieval Procedure for models 3400 and 3450.

Any DIGIT of Code breaks through greeting
3-DIGIT Access Code plays back messages

DURING PLAYBACK

2nd DIGIT of Access Code rewinds tape
3rd DIGIT of Access Code fast forwards

AFTER MESSAGE PLAYBACK

HANG UP saves messages.
3rd DIGIT + 1 TONE + 3-DIGIT Code repeats message playback
2nd DIGIT rewinds tape (cancels messages)

1st DIGIT begins/ends greeting record
3rd DIGIT sets unit for memo record
3-DIGIT Code after 10 rings and steady tone, turns on answering machine.

Hold down each touch-tone key for at least two full seconds


Your Personal Greeting (ANNouncement)

To record your Greeting: Press and hold ANN When the Ready Light flashes, speak into microphone Release ANN when you finish speaking. Press and release ANN to check your recorded greeting

If there's a mistake, record it again.


Message Playback

Press MESSAGES for message playback

During Playback:

Hold REW to rewind the tape: release REW to resume playback.

Hold MESSAGES to fast forward the tape: release MESSAGES to resume playback. Fast forward stops at the end of messages.

Press STOP to end playback (before end of last message)


Other Options

To Save messages--leave tape at end of message(s) to be saved.

To Cancel messages--Press REW to rewind the message tape and reset the Message Display

To record a Memo-Press and hold MESSAGES. When the Ready Light flashes, speak into microphone. Release MESSAGES when you finish speaking

To record a Phone Conversation--Press the PH REC button. Press STOP to end recording and stop the tape.

To Screen Calls--increase VOLUME. To speak to the caller, lift the phone handset and then press STOP


Ring Delay / Toll Saver Switch

Use OFF for System answer on 2nd ring (1st ring with AO selected) Use ON for System answer on 4th ring.

Use TS (Toll Saver) to have your System answer on the 2nd ring if you DO have messages, and on the 4th ring if you DON'T have messages. So if you call remotely and it doesn't answer after 2 rings, you know that no messages are waiting.


Answer Only / Message Limit Switch

Use AO (Answer Only) for no recorded messages. System answers on 1st ring, plays your greeting and tone, then disconnects from the line.

Use VC (Voice Control) to have System stop recording when your caller stops talking or hangs up.

Use ML (Message Limit) to limit incoming messages to 60 seconds each.


Model 3450 Telephone Operation (Answering Machine with telephone Unit built in)

Pulse/Tone Switch--Use P setting for pulse/rotary systems. Use T setting for touch-tone systems.

Ringer Switch--Set for HI or LO ringer volume. Use OFF for no ring signals (System still answers calls).

To Store a Number--Place the handset on-hook Press

AUTO DL and then dial the number (Press PAUSE where needed) Press AUTO DL again, and then press the dial pad key you've chosen for memory location.

To Auto Dial a Number--Lift the handset, then press AUTO DL and the appropriate dial pad key

For Last Number Dial--Lift the handset and press LND.


Excess Slack in Cassette Tape

Tape slack (often due to shipping) can interfere with proper operation of your Code-A-Phone. After installation, or anytime tape movement seems to slow or bind:

Turn power OFF

Turn the tape over.

Turn power ON.

Press REW. to rewind the message tape.

Tape can be left with either side 
.


Code-A-Phone Answering Machine Model 3530

Although I don't own one of these I am told that this machine with dual mini cassettes, functions quite similarly to the Model 3400 or 3450. The "AO" "VC" "ML" "TS" abbreviations stand for much the same thing as they do for the models 3400 and 3450

This machine also came with a remote access code on a sticker attached to the bottom of the unit.

To record the greeting on the model 3530: 
Hold both "REC" and "ANN" buttons and speak to the microphone on the front of the unit. Release the 2 buttons when finish recording.

(This model 3530 information was provided by a Code-A-Phone 3530 owner who found this page and informed me of these similarities that exist between the models 3400/3450 and the 3530.)

.


Remote Message Retrieval
for Code-A-Phone Models 930 and 1620
(and probably other Code-A-Phone models
with a one digit Remote Access Code)

Pressing your single security code number for 3 full seconds after the announcement and beep will retrieve incoming messages.

After the new messages have played you will hear 2 tones. You may then save messages by pressing your code then hanging up.
However, if you missed what was said you can repeat the messages by entering the code, wait for 4 tones, then enter the code again.

To erase messages, hang-up when the tape is done playing.

To turn the machine on from remote, call and let it ring ten times. When the system answers, it will have a 2 second tone. Press your security code and you will hear 3 double tones to let you know the system is on.

(The above information on the model 930 and 1620 was obtained after some research by two Code-A-Phone users who found this page, and saw it had no info. to offer on these earlier models.)


I also received the following in an e-mail, in response to this page, so the above directions may help users of the Code-A-Phone Model 3530 as well.

I've got a very old Code-A-Phone Answering Machine Model 3530 from previous owner of my house without the manual. It's the old style one with dual mini cassettes. I was wondering what the "AO" "VC" "ML" "TS" abbreviations stand for until I found your page. The more amazing thing is the remote access code is also on a sticker attached to the bottom of the unit. Operations are very similar to your 3400. Now I have a full understanding of this old machine. Maybe you can add these informations to your page.


In 2007 I recieved this message which may people with a Code-A-Phone Model 2530.

I have a Model 2530 that I bought in Feb 1986. I also have the original manual.

Some information from the manual that might be of use:

To ensure proper performance, your Code-A-Phone 2530's tape head assemblies will require periodic cleaning. Simply remove the cassettes and rub a cotton swab slightly dampened with commercial tape head cleaner or denatured alcohol across the announce and message tape heads. Similarly, clean the surface of the roller located next to the message tape head.

Tape cassettes should be replaced every six months under normal use conditions, in order to maintain optimum recording and playback conditions.

Model 2530 "Total Remote Command":

Press "5" to break through greeting announcement. 3 digit access code plays back messages.

During Playback: Back space: Press "1" to hear a portion of message repeated. Fast forward: Press "2" to advance quickly --The 2530 will rewind or fast forward as long as you press the "1" or "2" buttons.

At end of message playback you will hear three beeps, meaning that the 2530 is waiting for another command.

Other commands: Remote message cancellation: After reviewing messages, to rewind message tape to beginning and erase previous ones, press "1" after the 3 beeps. If after hearing the three beeps, you decide you want to listen again to all or part of your messages, press "3". The 2530 will ignore remote message cancel command and begin playing back messages. As a safety measure, you cannot cancel your messages without reviewing them first.

Remote announcement change: After reviewing messages, wait for 3 beeps. Press "4". Wait for one beep. Dictate your announcement. At end of new announcement, press "4" again. The 2530 will play your new announcement for review. Wait for 3 beeps.

Remote memo record: Wait for 3 beeps. Press "6". Wait for one beep. Dictate your memo. At end of memo press "6" to end recording. Wait for 3 beeps.

Remote announcement breakthrough: To break through greeting announcement, press "5" during greeting. The 2530 will return a beep. Enter 3 digit security code. 2530 will play messages. If you have 2530 set to answer only mode, if you break through greeting announcement, wait for a beep, and then enter security code, you still have access to all of the 2530's remote commands.

Other features: Message limit switch: Off - no limit. On - 1 minute message limit.

Remote message indicator switch: If this switch on and ring delay switch on, 2530 answers on the first ring if there are new messages to review. If no new messages since last playback, 2530 answers according to ring delay setting. This lets you know before the 2530 answers whether you have any new messages to review.

Ring delay switch: Off - answer after 1 ring. On - answer after 4 rings.

Answer only switch: Off - caller may leave a message. On - caller hears greeting but cannot leave a message.


Code-A-Phone Corporation Status

Code-A-Phone Corp. went out of business in the very late 1980's or the early 1990's. Here's their brief story.

The field of telephone answering machines, was a product category pioneered by Code-A-Phone Corp. in 1958. When the product caught fire in the 1980s, later entrants such as Panasonic and AT&T moved production overseas and pushed their way to the forefront with lower-priced imitations of equal, if not superior, quality. Code-A-Phone was the last major seller to move production overseas--far too late for the company to bounce back.

You can only buy these machines at a garage/rummage sale, or maybe on eBay. Service and support is going to be pretty much non-existent. Should you get your hands on one they are pretty reliable. Mine was bought used in 1991 and is still going strong. The power adapter needed to be replaced once, and I was able to replace it with a generic replacement from Radio Shack.

Before Code-A-Phone Corp.'s demise many people referred to their telephone answering machines as their Code-A-Phone, much like we refer to facial tissue as "Kleenex", or transparent tape as "Scotch Tape". i.e. "Call me and if I'm not there, just leave a message on the Code-A-Phone". 

On 02/22/2003 Ernie Laitinen formerly affiliated with Code-A-Phone visited this page and wrote to me the following:

Noticed your Code-A-Phone info.

Just some additional history.

I arranged a sale of our management group's interest in Code-A-Phone in 1990 to our Singapore/Thailand supplier of cordless phones who had just gone public on the Thai stock exchange.

They subsequently sold it to a German customer, who last I heard, was still producing Code-A-Phones in East Germany.

The primary downfall of our company was advertising clout and technology changes.

We originally had the technology for tape based products nailed, but solid state recording made it so anyone could do it.

We were the first to develop an all solid state answering machine and the first with 900mhz cordless phone technology, but neither product was as cost effective as manufacturers that were totally vertically integrated like Panasonic.  (We had to buy some components from them).

Panasonic's advertising budget was larger ($200,000,000) than our gross sales.

Panasonic was able to go to chains like Circuit City and dictate pricing for their products at low margins.

Circuit City would then come to us and say that since Panasonic didn't give them good margins, they wanted us to give them 10-15 points more and sell at a $10 less price point.  It doesn't take enormous calculating to see the problem with that.

We might have been able to take a Bose strategy and tell the retailers to stuff it, but we didn't.

We had some members of management that decided it was more productive to retire than fight the battle.

The Singapore/Thailand company was supposed to bring cordless phone technology breakthroughs to the table, but were never able to develop even one cordless phone that worked.

We had some meetings with Kyocera's chairman at the time, but chose not to enter a joint development effort with them.

We were producing in Mexico in the 1970's and in the Far East by the early 80's.  We shut down our U.S. manufacturing in 1987.

Ernie Laitinen - http://www.ernie.ws
February 22, 2003


Does your Code-A-Phone need a drive belt?

Several people have written to me asking where they can get a replacement drive belt for their Code-A-Phone answering machine.

I've not had a belt problem... yet, but from what I gather (from e-mails I've received) replacement belts are nearly impossible to locate. One reader of this page managed to locate a place on the Internet that indicates they sell replacement belts for Code-A-Phone products.

I personally don't know anything about this retailer and have never personally dealt with them, but when and if you are at wits end in your search for a replacement belt, this sounds like a place you may want to at least investigate.

You can try Ken's Electronics: http://www.kenselectronics.com/lists/ansbelt.htm

Note: Within about 6 weeks of posting the above link to Ken's Electronics, I have received at least 3 separate e-mails from people advising that Ken's Electronics was able to resolve their needs for drive belts, or help them with other issues regarding their Code-A-Phone answering machines.

I also received this bit of drive belt advice from another visitor:

I found a drive belt at Fry's Electronics. The belts at Fry's are sold as replacements for VCR drive belts, but come in such a wide variety of lengths and cross-sectional dimensions as to come very close, if not match exactly, the original belt. I don't know what model code-a-phone my father has, but it's one of those two-mini-cassette (answering machine only) models. Fry's had a belt that matched almost exactly, the dimensions of the original (and probably would have matched exactly, but I took one which was slightly smaller since the one which appeared to be the correct length was out of stock).

As an alternative, one can simply buy a belt which is too long but with approximately the correct cross section or else just buy some belt stock with the correct cross section and make one which is the correct length. To make a belt, use a (sharp, new) razor blade to cut the belt (or stock)  to the correct length. Then join the two ends with a small drop of super- glue (don't use just any glue - superglue has very good tensile strength and works really well for this sort of thing). Sanding the joint isn't necessary, but doing so will probably help. The belt should be tested by stretching it to check the joint. The joint won't separate if the joint has been made correctly. If anything, the belt will most likely break somewhere else first. I haven't tried this for a code-a-phone belt, but I've used this technique to make lots of non- standard o-rings for vacuum systems without ever having a problem. Hope this information is of some use.


Power Supply issue?

If you need a power supply take your old one down to a Radio Shack and they should be able to provide you with a generic replacement.


NOTE from the Author of this Web Page: I own one of these trusty old Code-A-Phone answering machines, and lost the directions to use it, but then found them. I figure if I did that, others will as well. So I now post them on the Internet.  I retired my Code-A-Phone in app. 2005 and it was still in working condition. I retired it to get a machine that has caller ID and other features, so I am no longer a a Code-A-Phone User, but leave this pagere for those that are.

Originally Posted 10/16/2000 by
David Gudas - dgudas@roadrunner.com - I of course would be curious to know if this ever helps anyone. It's an amazing world.

This page last updated: 09/01/2007

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